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10 High Pinene Strains To Energize Your Next Sesh
Pinene may not be the most common terpene in cannabis (it’s fourth on the list), but this deliciously aromatic terp certainly shows up often enough that you should know about it. Pinene brings with it a breath of fresh air and an uplifting vibe that’s sure to please folks who enjoy an energetic experience.
We touched on this iconic terp with its recognizable woodsy, spicy scent in our cannabis terpenes guide, and here we’ll take a closer look at strains high in pinene you can find in the dispensary.
Jack Herer
This iconic cultivar (AKA strain) has a complex terpene profile that includes pinene (alpha-pinene, to be specific). It doesn’t take a lot of pinene to make an impact, either — just 0.25% pinene content by weight is enough to make Jack Herer a pinene-forward choice. You’ll notice this terpene in the piney, woody scent of the flowers and the energetic, uplifting high this cultivar is beloved for.
Average pinene content: 0.25%
Average THC content: 20%
Average CBD content: 0%
Shop Jack Herer at the Travel Agency
Blue Dream
This sativa-dominant hybrid is known for its balanced effects, delivering a heady high sensation while relaxing the body. It doesn’t smell much like pinene, but this terpene’s influence appears in the uplifting, energetic effects of this cultivar.
Average pinene content: 0.28%
Average THC content: 25%
Average CBD content: > 0.1%
Shop Blue Dream at the Travel Agency
Double Grape
A cross between Sour Stomper and Grape Crinkle, Double Grape hides its pinene terpene content behind a scent of sweet and sour grapes. You’ll notice it more in the effects, which combine pinene’s talent for relaxation and uplifting feelings into a sweetly balanced high.
Average pinene content: 0.15%
Average THC content: 22%
Average CBD content: 0.5%
Shop Double Grape at the Travel Agency
Gelato
Gelato is a well-known and much-loved strain popular with cultivators and consumers alike. This cultivar regularly tests for notable levels of both alpha- and beta-pinene, although you’d never know it by the sweet scent. However, it has the pinene terpenes’ classically energizing effects, and some people report that it puts them in an affectionate mood.
Average pinene content: 1.0%
Average THC content: 24%
Average CBD content: 0.2%
Shop Gelato at the Travel Agency
White Cherry Gelato
With Gelato as a parent strain, it’s no surprise that White Cherry Gelato has high levels of pinene. This cultivar is a heavy hitter, regularly testing at about 25% THC, so beginners beware. The sweet, berry aroma hides both alpha- and beta-pinene, and many consumers report that this strain has a creeping sedative effect, making it perfect for the end of the day.
Average pinene content: 1.0%
Average THC content: 25%
Average CBD content: 0.2%
Shop Wite Cherry Gelato at the Travel Agency
Mandarin Zkittlez
Also called Mandarin Z or Mandarin Zkittles, this strain’s citrus aroma hides its pinene content. It’s known for delivering a relaxing body high that keeps the mind uplifted and euphoric, the perfect strain for a wake-and-bake or mid-day toke.
Average pinene content: 0.17%
Average THC content: 22%
Average CBD content: 0%
Shop Mandarin Zkittlez at The Travel Agency
Melonade
Melonade is a sativa-dominant hybrid with a sweet, citrusy scent hiding the pinene content. But this terpene comes through in this strain’s euphoric, heady high and body relaxation. Don’t let the 22% fool you: Consumers report this strain as heavy-hitting.
Average pinene content: 0.27%
Average THC content: 22%
Average CBD content: 0%
Cherry Bomb
The complex scent of Cherry Bomb reveals its pinene content if you can get past the berry whiff to the spicy afternote. It also has classic pinene effects: energizing, uplifting, and a heady, euphoric high that lends well to socializing or getting creative.
Average pinene content: 0.15%
Average THC content: 20%
Average CBD content: 0%
Grape Ape
Named for its distinct grape aroma, Grape Ape has a moderate THC percentage that makes this strain approachable for new consumers. Although it doesn’t smell like pinene, this terp makes its appearance in the relaxing and pain-reducing effects of this strain.
Average pinene content: 0.6%
Average THC content: 19%
Average CBD content: 0%
Limoncello
Limoncello smells like you might expect: a vibrant lemon-citrus aroma. You might think limonene is the dominant terpene because of its scent, but despite the lemon grove aroma, pinene is the dominant terpene, with distinctly energizing effects and a heady high experience. Many people report a burst of euphoria and a desire to socialize after consuming.
Average limonene content: 0.5%
Average THC content: 18%
Average CBD content: 0%
White Wedding
It’s always a nice day for this celebratory strain, which melds gassy terps, including pinene, with a gentle dusting of citrus notes. Enjoy White Wedding on a lazy day at home, amid a creative project, or whenever relaxation is beckoning.
Average THC content: 25%
Average CBD content: 0%
Shop White Wedding at The Travel Agency
Jamaican
Also known as Jamaican Red, this high-pinene strain is native to its namesake country. It can lead to giggly happiness and bursts of creativity, which may both stem from pinene’s energizing potential. With pungent aromas of coffee and earthiness, newcomers might enjoy the familiar taste as much as the beginner-friendly 10% THC content by volume.
What is the difference between alpha-pinene and beta-pinene?
Alpha and beta-pinene are pretty similar. Without getting too scientific, the main differences between them are the compound’s molecular structure and the aroma.
Alpha-pinene is largely responsible for the classic pine scent you now know and love, and it’s more commonly found in cannabis cultivars.
Beta-pinene smells earthy and fresh but with more of a spicy note, similar to basil. These two compounds are also studied for different effects, but alpha-pinene is more common in research.
What else is Pinene found in?
Pinene is found in many plants because it’s the most abundant terpene in the world. You know the woodsy, sweet, spicy scent from pine trees and all other coniferous trees, but it’s also present in high quantities in dill, basil, rosemary, parsley, and pine nuts.
How does the Pinene terpene make you feel?
Pinene is popular in aromatherapy because people feel relaxed, similar to walking through the woods. In cannabis, cultivars rich in pinene are often reported to be energizing and invigorating.
Pinene and the entourage effect
In cannabis circles, the oft-discussed “entourage effect” encompasses how terpenes such as pinene work alongside cannabinoids like THC and CBD to shape a strain’s effects. In other words, it’s not just any one terp or cannabinoid that explains why you feel how you feel — it’s their combined impact.
As a prominent terpene, pinene may well be part of the entourage effect when present in cannabis. This terp in particular has been found to potentially influence the levels of serotonin and dopamine, both of which affect mood, in the body. If you find a high-pinene strain with reportedly energizing, uplifting effects, that might be due to pinene, or it might be due to pinene and the strain’s cannabinoids.
Explore strains high in other terpenes
Pinene might give you some spunk, but other terps might settle you down a bit. Learn about some other terpenes and their effects with The Travel Agency’s other terpene guides:
Does the Pinene terpene make you sleepy?
Studies in aromatherapy have shown that alpha-pinene may make you feel relaxed, but cultivars high in pinene are often reported to be energizing. It may come down to your unique endocannabinoid system, so test out a few pinene strains and see how they make you feel.
Trying strains high in Pinene with The Travel Agency
Terpenes play an important role in your cannabis experience, and understanding which terpenes are in your products can help you better tailor your cannabis consumption to your specific needs. The next time you stop in to visit The Travel Agency or take some time to peruse our online menu, take note of the terpene profile each cannabis product has to offer. Not sure what to look for? Ask a budtender to help you find a high-pinene strain next time you’re in the store, and we’ll be happy to help you find the right cannabis product for your goals.
